Electric switch



Sept. 26, 1939. J. 5. BADEAUX 2,174,410

' Bmzc'nuc swrrcn Filed Dec. 10, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented sept. ze, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE ApplicationDecember 10, 1937, Serial No. 179,166

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in electric switches and particularly to the commercial types of switches adapted for general industrial purposes which are usually enclosed in a box.

An object of the invention is the provision of an electric switch of compact construction designed so that it may be enclosed in a comparatively shallow covering box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch in which the operating lever is connected with the switch base and arranged so as to project through an aperture in the cover of the box. v

A further object of the invention is the provision of a switch embodying a switch carrying slide member which may be actuated to close one or the other of a pair of contacts at each end of the base.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an electric switch of the aforesaid character constructed so that the movable switch contacts are associated with spring means adapted to effect a quick break when the carrying member is moved to an open position.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an electric switch constructed to provide a switch structure of unusually compact dimensions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speciiicationand in which like reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled switch structure showing the branch lines connected with electric circuits,

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the same showing part of the slide member broken away to illustrate the -base construction,

Figure 3 is a section taken on a longitudinal plane through the switch, showing a part thereof in separated relation,

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 8--6 of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the lines 1-1 oi.' Figure 2,

Figure y8 is a section taken on lines 0-8 oi.' 56 Figure 7, and

(Cl. 20D-16) Figure 9 is a similar view during reverse movement of the slide member.

Referring to the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shownv a preferred embodiment of the invention, I5 generally designates the base of a switch which is in the form of an elongated rectangular shaped plate of insulating materiai, having formed on the front face a centrally disposed longitudinally elongated block I6 provided with a longitudinally directed tapering Slot I1, At each end of the block I6 is formed a partition web i8 projecting longitudinally from the end central portion of the block. In one side of the block I6 are formed a plurality of, in the present instance three, longitudinally spaced depressions or grooves i9.

On each side of the base l5 is mounted an elongated longitudinally extending plate 20, of insulating material, disposed to project at right angles through the front face of the base plate and formed with a shoulder 2i for fastening the plate to the base by a stud and nut connection 2i'.

At each end of the base are mounted two complementary pair of contacts arranged so that 'each pair is disposed inwardly of the end portions of the side plates 20 and embodying spring arms 22 and 23 projecting from the face of the base plate. 'Ihe contact arm 22 makes connection through an extension conductor with a terminal 25, the lug of which connects with a conducting Wire 26. The complementary contact arm 23 makes connection through a conducting strip 21 with a fuse clamp contact 2B. This latter clamp is disposed to engage one end of a fuse, as for instance, the cartridge type fuse 29, the 3 opposite end of which engages a second clamp contact 30 which is electrically connected with a terminal 3| connecting with a conductor wire 32. As illustrated at Figure 2, the switch structure embodies four such pair of stationary contacts, two pair at each end of the base for connection with main or load conductors and service wires.

Slidably mounted on the central portion of the base I5 and carrying movable contacts adapted to engage the two pair of stationary .4 contacts at either end of the base is a slide member 34, in the present instance, channel-shaped in cross section and formed of insulating material, This slide member embodies a cross web 35 formed at each side with a right angularly disposed fiange 36, these iianges being adapted to assume positions adjacent to and parallel with the projecting side plates and being approximately equal to the length of the latter. At the inner edges of the side ilanges 36 are formed reflange by a holding pin 41,

duced tongue elements 31 designed to slidably engage longitudinal grooves 38 in the base. At the inner portion each of the flanges 36 is also formed with a laterally extending longitudinal tongue 39, adapted to slidably engage a longitudinal groove 40 in the inner face of each side plate 20, so as to provide a slide connection which will limit the movement and prevent displacement of the slide member. Adjacent each end, each of the two side flanges of the slide member is formed with a rectangular shaped aperture 42 in which is slidably fitted a contact block 43 of conducting material. Each contact block 43 is of approximately rectangular cross section, shaped to allow sliding movement longitudinally of the flange and of a width greater than that of the flange so that side portions thereof will project beyond the side planes of the flange element, as shown at Figure 8. To one end of the block 43 is connected a guide strip 44, of insulating material, fitted to slide within a groove 45 to accurately guide the sliding movement of the contact block. To the inner end of the block 43 is connected one extremity of a coiled tension spring 46 arranged within a recess in the slide ilangeand having its opposed end fixed to the This spring is disposed to yieldingly slide the contact block 43 to a retracted position at the inner end of the apertur'e 42, as illustrated at Figure 8. Each of the blocks 43 is disposed so that slidable movement of the slide member 34 in one direction will enable disposition thereof between each of the two pair of stationary contacts 22 and 23 at one end of the base, to bridge the gap between the complementary contacts and close the circuit at one end of the switch. The stationary contacts are mounted to resiliently engage the movable contact blocks when the latter are slide to circuit closingposition.

An operating lever or arms 50 is disposed so that one end is arranged within the inner reduced portion of the slot I1 in the base and connected therewith by means of a pivot pin 5I to allow movement of the arm in an arc longitudinally of the base. The intermediate portion of the actuating arm 50 extends through a slot 52 in the central portion of the slide web 35 so that the outer end portion of the lever projects externally to form an operating handle.

Secured to the lever 5U so as to extend along one side thereof is a resilient element 53 which may comprise an elongated metallic leaf-spring. One end of the spring element is tightly fastened against theouter end portion of the lever, as by a screw 54, while the opposite end is disposed in a yieldingly projected position. To this laterally projecting end of the spring is connected a catch tongue 55 arranged at a right angle to the spring and extending longitudinally therefrom. When the inner projecting portion of the spring is manually retracted, the catch member 55 moves into a cavity 56 in the lever but when released, is resiliently projected to engage any one of the grooves I9. Thus, the spring device provides an efficient locking mechanism for securing the lever in predetermined position,

To close the circuit at one end of the switch, as for instance between the load conductors 26 and the service wires 32 which may be connected with a water heater 33, the lever 50 is swung in an arc toward the end of the base, usually in an upward vertical movement inasmuch as the base is commonly attached to a vertical wall or support. This movement will cause the two contact blocks 43 at one end of the slide member to move between the two complementary pair of stationary contacts 22 and 23 to effectively close the circuit between the conductors 26 and 32. To open the circuit, the lever is swung in the reverse direction causing corresponding sliding movement of the slide member 34. When the slide moves to an inward circuit break-ing position, the frictional engagement' of the stationary contacts with the movable contact blocks 43 will slide the latter to an extended position in each of the aperture 42, that is, to a position in the outer end of each aperture, as illustrated at Figure 9, overcoming the tension of the coil springs 46. When the slide member moves inward to a predetermined position and the contact gaps assume a position for releasing the stationary contact arm, the coil springs 46 function to snap the blocks'from the fixed contacts to effect a quick or abrupt break of contact so as to prevent arcing.

To close the circuit at the opposite end of the base, the lever is swung downwardly to effect corresponding movement of the slide member so that the opposite contact blocks will engage the bottom stationary contacts to close the circuit between load wires 55 and service branch wires 56 which, for example, may be connected with the resistance coils 51 of an electric stove. By actuating the lever to a central position, the silde member is disposed so that the circuits are opened at each end of the switch,

This construction provides a compact switch of generally improved design, which may be enclosed in a casing of relatively flat form so asl to reduce projection thereof from a supporting structure to a minimum. It also affords conveniently operable switch closing and opening means embodying an abrupt arc reducing contact breaking mechanism.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes as to the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoned claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an electric switch of the character described, a base of insulating material, a plurality of stationary contacts mounted on the base and arranged to provide two complementary pair adjacent each end thereof, a slide member channelshaped in cross section slidably mounted on the front face of the base, a pair of contacts mounted on each side portion of the slide member engageable with and adapted to bridge the gap between the pairs of contacts at the ends of the base, spring means connected with the contacts on the slide member adapted to effect a quick break of contact when the slide member is mov-ed to a circuit breaking position, and means for moving the slide member to a circuit closing or opening position.

2. In an electric switch of the character described, a base of insulating material, a plurality of stationary contacts mounted on the base and arranged to provide two complementary pair adjacent each end thereof, a slide member channel-shaped in cross section slidably mounted on the front face of the base, a pair of contacts mounted on each side portion of the slide member engageable with and adapted to bridge the gap between the pairs of contacts at the ends of the base, spring means connected with the contacts on the slide'member adapted to eilect a quick break of contact when the slide member is moved to a circuit breaking position. and al means for connecting conductors with the said' contacts, a channel-shape member slidably connected with the front face oi' the base said member having a plurality ot apertures in the sides having pivot connection with the base extending through an aperture in the slide for moving the latter to open or closed positions upon arcuate operation ot the lever, and nat-spring means for releasably locking the lever" ln selected position.

4. In an electric switch, a base o! insulating material, pairs oi stationary contacts mounted' on the base. a slide member channel-shaped in cross-section slidably mounted on the iront face of the base, said member lf'ifaving side walls disposedtontingroovesofthebasebetweenthe contacts o! each pair, the said walls having aperturcs in a line with said contact pairs, a contact slidably mounted in each wall aperture to bridge the stationary contacts oheach pair, a spring between each slidable contact and the member wall to provide for a snap action, and a handle for sliding the member.

JEAN BAPTISTE BADEAUX. 

